Private guides and guided tours in Greece

Private guides in Greece

As the fifth most populace of the Greek islands, Crete is an incredible vacation getaway. With the Mediterranean Sea surrounding this beautiful landscape of rolling hills and scattered mountains, a visit will enlighten you as to why Crete was chosen to be the center of the Minoan civilization, one of the earliest civilizations in all of Europe.

On my return to Crete I decided to utilize my combined accumulated experience within the Greek market as niche Touroperator (special interests programs), Leisure Industry Consultant; further diversifying my activities into the fields of web publishing and Event Management. Now based in Rethymnon I head a dynamic, highly qualified team.

My name is Matthew and I would like to show you Athens around, the capital of Greece, where I live since I was born. Just after the Olympics, Athens became friendlier and easy-going for the inhabitants and the tourists.

Greece

The country of Greece is officially named the Hellenic Republic, and is comprised of a peninsula and group of islands situated at a location that acts as a crossroads for Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Greece shares borders with Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey, and has coastlines in three seas: the Mediterranean, the Ionian and the Aegean. The climate of Greece is Mediterranean, featuring mild winters and hot, dry summers that are perfect for the multitude of holiday makers who choose Greece as their vacation destination.

In fact, Greece is one of the most popular destinations in the world for tourism, attracting millions of visitors to relax on sunny, pristine beaches and play in the crystal clear waters. The towering mountains that cover 80% of Greece offer magnificent scenery and a plethora of outdoor activities for nature lovers. In addition, Greece is one of the world’s most ancient civilizations and the historical and cultural attractions are incredible.

One of the most recognizable ancient ruins in the world is located in Athens, the capital city of Greece. The Parthenon is a historical Greek temple built on top of the Acropolis in 432 BC, and its soaring white stone columns have come to symbolize Greece and its historical heritage. The Acropolis Museum displays artifacts dating from the Bronze Age to Byzantine and is one of the premiere archaeological museums in the world.

The volcanic island of Santorini is a popular tourist destination, with its spectacular cliff-top views, white washed houses and cobblestone streets. Mykonos is another picturesque destination that in addition to its incredible white sand beaches and stunning vistas also offers cosmopolitan entertainments with popular bars and nightclubs.

Mystras, with its beautiful medieval ruins, is a fascinating place to explore, as is the historical village of Lindos on the isle of Rhodes. Some of the most amazing scenery in the world can be found at Myrtos Beach, which is famous for its turquoise colored waters, white marble pebble beaches and soaring cliffs that rise above the beach. The monastery atop the rock pillars of Meteora is a “must-see” sight in Greece, and the Delphi Theater and Mount Athos are other notable landmarks not to miss.

Guide Licensing Information for Greece

Greek authorities are rather sensitive when it comes to tour guide licensing due to the rich history and culture of the country. That is why all tour guides must carry a license at all times when conducting a tour. Moreover, the entrance to the majority of historic, archeological and cultural sites as a tour guide is only possible when presenting the license, and the control can sometimes be rather strict.

In order to become a tour guide in Greece you have to be of a legal adult age, citizen of Greece or possessing a permanent working visa. The process starts with a five-semester training course conducted by the Schools of Tour Guides, which are governed by the Organization of Tourism Education and Training. Upon completing the courses, the solicitor is obliged to pass the final exam, and in case of success he or she will be registered with the local authorities and issued a valid license.

A licensed guide is obliged to know at least one foreign language and have profound knowledge in the domain they are looking forward to working in. Qualified guides can become members of the Association of Licensed Tourist Guides, which is a professional association aimed at recommended the best guides in the business to all types of travelers.

There is a lot of history to be seen in Greece and I really want to be sure that I am able to at least catch a glimpse of most of it. I will be in the country for a week and I am looking for a list of the historical places that I should see while here.